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When it comes to moving companies, certain providers are better equipped to move antique furniture, fine art, and other expensive or valuable goods than others. Some moving companies offer specialized services, such as fragile-only packing, custom crating, and comprehensive insurance coverage, to ensure your valuable goods arrive at your new home safely.
After evaluating the best moving companies in business today, we narrowed down our rankings to the best antique moving companies below. Learn more about our picks for moving antique goods and how to choose the most competent full-service movers for your upcoming relocation.
The Best Antique Moving Companies
The following movers provide basic and specialty services with valuation coverage for fragile and antique items:
- Best for Antiques: American Van Lines
- Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines
- Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
- Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT
- Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc.
- Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services
- Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines
Best for Antiques: American Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit American Van Lines’ site
What We Like
American Van Lines opened its doors in 1967 and now provides local and long-distance moves throughout the lower 48 states. It advertises moving crews that average a decade or more of industry experience and supplies its own labor and moving trucks for every job it carries out. Plus, AVL only charges flat rates for its moves.
These factors make American Van Lines one of the best antique movers in the industry today. If you’re in the market for experienced movers to relocate family heirlooms or antiques, this carrier is at the top of our list.
Cost
American Van Lines bills flat rates for all moves. You’ll never have to contend with added fees after your move. The price you’re quoted is the price you’ll pay, unless you add services or inventory to your move.
American Van Lines has published moving costs on its website for some of its shuttle routes between major cities. A two-bedroom move between Dallas and Las Vegas is listed at $4,868. You can expect to pay more if you include specialized antique moving services.
Services Offered
American Van Lines’ qualified and experienced moving crews provide numerous services catered to basic or complex moving needs. This can include packing, unpacking, professional antique care, access to climate-controlled storage, and more for your valuable item or antique moving needs.
State availability: 48 states (all but Alaska and Hawaii)
Read more: American Van Lines Review
Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit International Van Lines’ site
What We Like
International Van Lines (IVL) has handled international moves since its founding in 2000. It began providing local and long-distance moving services in 2004. It has fairly limited locations within the United States but provides service as a moving broker in all 50 states.
Its broker status makes it one of the more flexible moving companies available. Clients can opt for numerous specialty services when booking with IVL, such as antique moving and crating from certain partners. Customer reviews mention this provider’s affordability and breadth of service quality.
Cost
International Van Lines charges a 25% deposit fee. Your deposit will count toward your final move price when you pay the final bill. It’s refundable if you cancel your move at least 48 hours before your move date.
IVL provides cost estimates for packing services on its website. A one-bedroom full pack costs $375–$625, and a four-bedroom pack costs $2,000–$2,500. These services include the cost of packing supplies and labor. Price ranges account for extra care needed for fragile items but do not include custom crating for fine art or similar services.
Services Offered
International Van Lines provides loading, unloading, basic furniture protection, and transportation with any basic moving quote. It offers special flat rates for piano moving and bulky item transportation. Additional services will vary depending on the IVL partners in your location. Services may include crating, insurance for high-value items, and more.
State availability: 50 states
Read more: International Van Lines Review
Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Moving broker
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit Interstate Moving & Relocation Group’s site
What We Like
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a national moving broker that coordinates various moving services via a nationwide network of moving partners. Depending on the area, these partners can provide last-minute or even same-day service to clients with varying moving needs. This can include specialized antique or fragile furniture protection and moving service, depending on the available movers near you.
Given that IMRG professional movers’ service quality will vary from state to state and even county to county, exercise caution when booking through it or any broker. Your antiques may require special packing or crating practices, and brokers aren’t liable for any damage their partners cause during moves.
Cost
IMRG charges a 15% deposit for all moves it provides. This is due upon booking your move and receiving your free quote. Depending on available moving partners, your moving needs, the season, and your moving date, costs could vary greatly.
The moving cost calculator on IMRG’s website yielded a wide estimate of $3,900–$7,000 for a two-bedroom move between Dallas and Las Vegas. If you’re hiring art movers or arranging for the care of precious items, your cost for a comparable move would likely be on the higher end of this range and could exceed it.
Services Offered
IMRG provides long-distance and local moving services and partners with self-service and full-service relocation companies in all 50 states. If your move requires long-term storage, specialized antique crating or moving, or more experienced movers, ask your IMRG moving consultant about the companies it partners with in your area.
State availability: 50 states
Read more: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Review
Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Moving broker
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit Moving APT’s site
What We Like
Moving APT was founded in 1999 as a small one-truck operation and is now one of the largest brokers in the moving industry. It maintains partnerships with more than 2,500 individual moving companies across the country.
In addition to its wide availability, Moving APT stands out for its informative website and accessibility throughout the booking process. The information it provides regarding moving costs and its individual partners makes it easy to work with from the client’s perspective.
Cost
We used Moving APT’s cost calculator to get a preliminary estimate for a move between Dallas and Las Vegas. We were quoted a range of $2,250–$4,950, which accounts for varied packing needs. However, you’ll likely have to pay a higher rate for art or antique moving. Payment methods and deposit amounts vary depending on the partner your move is transferred to once you book with Moving APT.
Services Offered
Moving APT partners with both full-service and self-service moving companies. Your moving experience will largely depend on the broker with which you book. Most movers offer packing, unpacking, and access to storage services. If you need more customized moving solutions for older furniture, we recommend consulting Yelp and other review platforms to vet the movers who contact you through this broker.
State availability: 50 states
Read more: Moving APT Review
Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc.
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit Safeway Moving Inc.’s site
What We Like
Safeway Moving Inc. is a national moving company with extensive experience in moving larger homes and servicing more involved moves of all sizes. This mover’s insurance requirements for its moving partners set it apart from the competition.
Safeway requires all its partners to carry $1,000,000 in liability coverage, exceeding the industry standard of $750,000. This complies with most HOAs and enables its partners to move clients anywhere and handle moves for more valuable goods, such as antiques.
Cost
Safeway Moving Inc. bills flat rates for all its moves. Once you’ve been quoted your pricing figure, your cost will not change unless your service needs do. However, you have to pay a 40% deposit to book.
Safeway’s quotes rely heavily on inventory lists provided by clients themselves. To avoid bait-and-switch tactics or increased charges from your movers, ensure the accuracy of any inventory list you send when brokering a move. If you fail to do so, you could be subject to cost increases.
Services Offered
Safeway Moving Inc.’s long-distance movers provide full-service packing, loading, unloading, and basic liability coverage with each basic moving quote. Depending on the quality of the moving partners present in a given area, you may have access to climate-controlled storage facilities for long-term safe storage of high-value and older items.
State availability: 50 states
Read more: Safeway Moving Inc. Review
Best Moving App: JK Moving Services
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit JK Moving Services’ site
What We Like
JK Moving Services has been in the industry since 1982 and has completed more than half a million individual moves. It is one of the most well-adapted companies to modern moving practices, offering a mobile app with shipment tracking and AI-assisted virtual moving quotes.
Clients who want specialized packing or crating for high-value items will appreciate that JK Moving offers valuation coverage with all full-service moves. This goes beyond the typical 60 cents per pound per item provided by all moving contracts. Full valuation coverage provides for the total fair value of your goods in case of loss or damage and is usually necessary when transporting antique furniture.
Cost
JK Moving Services requires a $250 deposit to book all relocations. To secure your binding estimate, fill out a contact form on its website and a representative will contact you to set up a virtual or in-person consultation.
To get an accurate assessment for crating or specialized packing, you’ll need a visual estimate of some kind. This can be done via video call or an in-person inspection of your goods.
Services Offered
JK Moving Services offers both residential and commercial moving services, as well as international relocation options. All full-service moves include full valuation coverage. This valuation coverage, coupled with full-service packing and crating, makes it a fairly safe pick for all antique and specialty furniture moving needs.
State availability: 50 states, with local service limited to Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and Virginia
Read more: JK Moving Services Review
Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit North American Van Lines’ site
What We Like
North American Van Lines (NAVL) works as a carrier and operates in more than 500 individual locations throughout all 50 states. It has provided moving services since its founding in 1933 and is part of the larger moving conglomerate SIRVA. NAVL is under this umbrella with Allied Van Lines, which makes it a part of one of the largest moving networks in the business.
North American Van Lines offers numerous specialty services and basic offerings of packing, unpacking, general moving labor, and baseline furniture protection. The number of services and level of experience this mover brings to the table make it a quality option for special requests, including antique moving and crating.
Cost
NAVL does not require deposits when you book. This makes it a rarity, especially among many of the larger carriers in the business. North American Van Lines offers varied pricing structures to fit any moving need or customer preference.
After you get a quote, you can secure a bottom-line or not-to-exceed pricing figure. This helps ensure you won’t overpay or have to deal with hidden fees, regardless of specialized service needs.
Services Offered
NAVL provides a typical range of services for a mover of its size. In addition to the packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading services included with all basic moving packages, it offers appliance removal and installment, furniture assembly and disassembly, and crating and special packing service for high-value goods.
State availability: 50 states
Read more: North American Van Lines Review
How to Pick an Antique Moving Company
Choosing an antique moving company is similar to vetting your options for any moving company. Before and during the quote process, ensure that your movers meet the following conditions:
- Properly registered: Nearly all moving companies must comply with state-level registration requirements to operate. If not, federal registration through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is a must for any mover. Registration information should be readily available on a mover’s website. You can search for a company by name, USDOT number, or motor carrier (MC) number on the FMCSA website.
- Fully insured: All movers must carry workers’ compensation and provide released liability coverage for all goods carried. In addition, most reputable movers offer valuation coverage for high-value items. While it isn’t technically insurance, valuation coverage functions similarly by reimbursing you for loss or damage.
- Well-reviewed: You should book with a mover with positive reviews from multiple platforms, including Yelp, Google, the Better Business Bureau, and social media.
- Well-equipped: Ask your moving company representative about specialty services during the quote process. Movers offering more comprehensive protection options for high-value goods will advertise it.
Will Moving Antiques Affect My Move’s Cost?
We recommend getting multiple quotes from qualified professional movers to establish an accurate budget. Specialized requests can inflate costs substantially, depending on your move’s requirements. When you go through the quote process, be aware of the following cost factors:
- Added services
- Advance booking
- Move distance
- Season
- Shipment weight
- Special moving services for antiques and fine arts
- Valuation coverage costs
The cost of custom crating for antique goods will vary, depending on the size of the item(s) and the amount of added protection needed. Your costs for this service would include labor and materials such as plywood and extra furniture padding.
Our Recommendation
Of the companies we’ve listed, International Van Lines offers the widest service area. If you’re moving within the United States, however, American Van Lines is our top choice for all antique moving services due to the experienced labor it offers. If you’re concerned with the added cost of valuation coverage, you may be interested in JK Moving Services for its inclusion of valuation coverage with all full-service moves.
We recommend getting moving quotes from at least three different providers before settling on a moving company for your antique moving needs. No matter which provider you choose, we recommend having an in-depth conversation with your moving company representative about coverage options and mover packing techniques before making a final decision.
Antique Moving Company FAQ
Is an antique moving company worth it?
An antique moving company can be worth it if you have room in your moving budget and the goods you plan to move are of higher value. Antique and fine art moving are premium services with premium price points. You can also purchase valuation coverage to fully protect any high-value goods you ship. Dedicated professional movers can handle these goods and services.
Will movers pack my goods if I buy packing supplies elsewhere?
Movers will pack your goods even if you buy packing supplies elsewhere, such as from retailers including U-Haul and The Home Depot. We recommend buying packing supplies from retailers as new boxes will hold up better over the course of a long move.
Do I need an appraisal before purchasing valuation coverage?
Yes, you need an appraisal before purchasing valuation coverage. Most moving companies require some kind of appraisal of your goods before you purchase valuation coverage. In most cases, this can be done during your moving estimate.
Should I purchase coverage through my moving company or a third party?
You should purchase valuation coverage through your moving company. Third-party insurance coverage can be difficult to arrange and is not widely available.
How We Chose the Top Moving Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.
Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.
We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.